The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), representing over one lakh hotels and five lakh restaurants across the country, has recently appointed Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal as its new President. He has previously served as the President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI) and the Uttar Pradesh Hotel and Restaurant Association (UPHRA).
After taking charge, Mr. Jaiswal outlined his vision to strengthen India’s hospitality sector with a focus on fairness, sustainability, and inclusivity. He emphasised FHRAI’s commitment to working closely with the Government and regulatory bodies to simplify compliance, streamline operations, and promote responsible practices across hotels and restaurants of all sizes.
“Our industry is built on communities and opportunities. With the support of our members, we can make hospitality not just competitive and efficient, but also inclusive and responsible.” Mr. Jaiswal said,
He highlighted the sector’s potential to help achieve the government’s target of increasing tourism’s contribution to 10% of India’s GDP by 2030, a goal recently reiterated by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. FHRAI aims to contribute to this target by strengthening domestic tourism, expanding services beyond major metros, and encouraging investments in Tier II and Tier III cities.
Addressing structural challenges, he stressed the need to reinstate Input Tax Credit (ITC) under the 5% GST slab. The removal of ITC has increased unrecoverable costs for hotels especially on expenses related to rent, utilities, outsourced staff, and capital expenditure. “A renovation project costing ₹1 crore now attracts ₹18 lakh in non-creditable GST, putting pressure on cash flow and long-term financial stability,” he explained. “Restoring ITC will help maintain affordability for guests and encourage new investments, particularly outside major cities.”
Emphasising technology and innovation, Mr. Jaiswal urged members to adopt digital tools and AI-enabled solutions to enhance operational efficiency, improve guest experiences, and make informed business decisions. Mr. Jaiswal also urged the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to reclassify three-star and five-star hotels from the ‘Red’ category to the ‘Green’ category, recognizing their eco-friendly initiatives and responsible operations.
He reiterated that hospitality not only drives tourism but also forms the foundation of employment and community development. “Hospitality is about people from farmers and artisans to chefs and managers,” he said. “Our goal is to build an industry that grows responsibly, creates inclusive opportunities, and supports the broader vision of a Developed India by 2047.”
FHRAI concluded with a strong appeal to the government for policy reforms and corrective measures, emphasizing that decisive action will empower the sector to expand its economic contribution, boost competitiveness, and strengthen India’s position as a global tourism hub.